12 The Queens Courier • mother’s day • may 9, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com mother’s day By Shari Romar Wistful thoughts of warm days ahead have always been trigged by the emergence of the Lilac. Growing up, my neighbors had a long hedge of these shrubs and once those blooms started, my mind moved from school to summer. Despite glorious spring blooms, the Lilac genus is tagged with the somewhat terse-sounding Latin name of Syringa. Yet nomenclatural concerns are alleviated by further research that reveals a musical explanation. The name – derived from Greek – is a description of the pith-filled centers of the plant’s shoots which were easily hollowed out to make reed pipes and flutes. One of the ubiquitous blooms of May with flowers glowing in glorious light purple shades and a perfume to match, Syringa vulgaris is the species most familiar to home gardeners. (Speaking of nomenclature, this “second” name – the specific epithet – is not meant to be an insult to the pretty plant but instead speaks to its popularity.) There are about 20-25 species of Lilacs with some variety in flower color, shape, size, and foliage. For instance, Syringa laciniata (Cutleaf Lilac) sports small, delicate foliage while Syringa reticulata (Japanese Tree Lilac) features white flowers and can be pruned to develop a central trunk. Alas, such incredible beauty comes with some difficulties. Beyond spring flowers, many gardeners feel the plant offers little landscape value, though I personally like the somewhat heartshaped leaves. Lilacs can also suffer from diseases such as powdery mildew and insect pests that include scale and borers. Plus, they can take on a somewhat irregular shape over time – gardeners should prune out older branches to maintain form and encourage more vigorous flowering. If you’re not up for these challenges or don’t have space that can accommodate the plant’s large habit (15 feet wide in some species), you can still enjoy the treats of the season. Many local botanical gardens including the Kaltman Fragrance Walk at Queens Botanical Garden offer seasonal Lilac displays along with other spring blooming trees like Cherry and Crabapple that can also conjure delights of years gone by. Or, simply make a stop at the local flower store! For me, just a bouquet on my desk will transport me back to Mrs. Gorman’s fifth-grade classroom where I anxiously awaited summer. Shari Romar is the New Media Manager at Queens Botanical Garden. She is active at her community garden and maintains two websites BirdsBugsBuds.com and NYCNatureNews.com. Plant of the Month: LILAC A Hidden Gem on the Water A Hidden Gem on the Water Having a Party? Come in and let us help you. We love parties! 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